Every morning, without fail, I sweep the silk tree droppings from the deck and water the potted plants.

I wipe off the table tops and chairs.  Then I open the umbrellas. 

One morning as I unfurled this umbrella there was a surprise waiting.

A bat.

A big bat with a huge wingspan and giant Dracula teeth.

At least that was my perception… as I ran screaming into the house.

Moments later I returned with my trusty broom.  I gently lifted one corner of the umbrellas.   And found …

… a tiny brown bat that looked to be about 2 inches square.

It appeared to be vibrating.

Gently I swept the broom near the target.  It obliged by extending it’s weird webby wing and launching itself.

Towards me.
I thought. 

So again, I ran screaming into the house, certain it was aiming for my hair.

When I returned it was nowhere to be found.  Poor thing probably died of a heart attack at the sight of a screaming giant with flailing arms.

So, what did I learn from this?

1) I do not know why God created bats.

2) My overactive imagination is not helpful.

3) Always carry a big broom.  Bat check is priority #1.

P.S.  I’m also pretty proud of myself as this is the first blog post done entirely on my phone. Including photo.  Anxious for the healing of my computer.